Gino Quilico
Gino Quilico, OC (born April 29, 1955) is a Canadian lyric baritone of Italian descent and the son of Canadian baritone Louis Quilico and Lina Pizzolongo.Quilico was once married to violist and pianist Kathryn Stephenson. They have two children, Enrico and Sofia. Gino Quilico re-married in 2010 to Sara Decayette[1]
Biography
Gino Quilico was born in New York City in 1955 to Louis Quilico and his wife, the concert pianist and vocal coach Lina Pizzolongo.[2] His father began to give him voice lessons at age 19 and encouraged him to join the chorus of the Canadian Opera.[3] Quilico graduated from the opera school at the University of Toronto in 1978. Distinctions and honorary performances
1983 - Mr. Quilico performed for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Ottawa at the National Arts Center for the new Constitution of Canada.
1986 - Private recital for Prince Charles and Princess Diana at the Canadian Ambassador’s residence in London, England. The honorable R. Roy McMurtry.
1988 - The Canadian Music Council named him Artist of the Year.
1990 - Appointed Goodwill Ambassador (High Commissioner for Refugees) United Nations.
1993 - Officer of The Order of Canada in recognition for his musical contribution around the world
1995 - Grammy Award for the recording of Les Troyen by H. Berlioz (Decca) role Chorèbe
2003 - GOLD Record (Novem) Noel
World Premieres:
Ghosts of Versailles (John Corigliano) at Metropolitan Opera. New York (1991)
Montségur (L.Lamdowski) Toulouse Opera, Bordeaux, Lyon, Paris Opera (1985)
L’hèritière (J”P” Damase) at Paris Opera-Comique (1980)
Cinematography:
La Bohème (G.Puccini) Opera-film directed by Luigi Commencini (1988)
L’Orfeo (C.Monteverdi) Opera-film directed by C. Goretta (1988)
Several other opera’s on DVD
Discography:
Twenty-seven classical recordings with Deutsche Grammophon, Philips, Erato, Sony Classical, London/Decca and EMI/Angel.
Master Classes:
San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, Toronto, Montréal, Paris and Munich.
Formation:
University of Toronto Operatic Performance. Diploma (1978) École d’art Lyrique of the Paris Opera (1979-1980)
Biography (Highlights)
Esteemed as an interpreter of the French and Italian repertoire, lyric baritone Gino Quilico has performed with the world’s major opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera (New York), La Scala (Milano), The Royal Opera House (London), The Vienna State Opera (Vienna), the Paris Opera, the Bayerische Staatsoper (Munich), The Teatro Colón (Buenos Aires), La Fenice (Venice).
Gino Quilico has released over twenty opera recordings, including a Grammy Award for his participation in the recording of Les Troyens (Decca). His critically acclaimed solo recital recording Le Secret (Koch International) have also firmly established Mr. Quilico in the classical recording industry. His recording “Noel” went Gold.
Mr. Quilico has worked with such distinguished conductors as Seiji Ozawa, Herbert Von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein, Riccardo Chailly, James Levine, Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta, Michel Plasson and George Pretre.
Among the many festivals in which he has participated are those of Salzburg, Edinburgh, Schwetzingen, Aix en Provence and Orange.
Mr. Quilico made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1987 as Lescaut in Manon and has regularly returned since in roles such as Figaro in The Barber of Seville, Valentin in Faust, Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor, Ford in Falstaff, Belcore in L’Elisir d’Amore and Escamillo in Carmen.
At the San Francisco Opera, Mr. Quilico has appeared in the title role of Don Giovanni, Yeletsky in The Queen of Spades, Belcore in L’Elisir d’Amore, Lescaut in Manon, Silvio in I Pagliacci and Marcello in La Bohème which was also recorded for video release.
At the Paris Opera Mr. Quilico’s roles have included Figaro in The Barber of Seville, Oreste in Iphigenie en Tauride, Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus, Belcore in L’Elisir d’Amore, Enrico in Lucia di Lamermoor, Escamillo in Carmen and Yeletsky in The Queen of Spades.
His performances at La Scala have included the roles of Marcello in La Bohème. Lescaut in Manon by Massenet and Lescaut in Manon Lescaut by Puccini which was recorded by Sony Classical.
With the Royal Opera in London, he has sung Posa in Don Carlos, as well as Valentin in Faust, Figaro, Marcello and Escamillo, which he has also performed with the Royal Opera’s tour to Japan and Korea.
Around the world other engagements have taken Mr. Quilico to the Berlin Staatsoper, the Vienna Staatsoper for Iphigenie en Tauride to Munich for Carmen and Don Giovanni to the Florence Maggio Musicale for La Cenerentola. Don Pasquale at La Fenice in Venice, and to Buenos Aires Teatro Colón for Don Giovanni and Faust. Lausanne for the title role of Eugene Onegin and as Renato in Un Ballo in Maschera.
On the concert stage, Gino Quilico has appeared with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. In Europe with the Orchestre National de France, the Orchestra Philarmonique de Radio France, and the Bayerische Rundfunk, Munich.
In the year 1987 Gino and Louis Quilico became the first father and son to perform at the Metropolitan Opera together in its existence. Followed by many other appearances together around the world at the Paris Opera, The Chatelet, The Canadian Opera Company and The Toulouse Opera.
Mr. Quilico has appeared in the feature films of La Bohème and Orfeo as well as in numerous operatic videos. He has recorded for such labels as Deutsche Gramophone, EMI/Angel, Philips, Erato, Sony Classical and London/Decca. Included an album of operetta duets with Barbara Hendricks for EMI.
Gino Quilico continues to pursue his career as in Canada (Montréal, Québec, Orford, Trois-Rivières) in the USA (Napa Valley, San Francisco) a new recording of sacred arias with production XXI to be released autumn 2012 with organist Jacques Boucher.
With the Montreal symphony orchestra Under the direction of Kent Nagano, Gino Quilico will sing in L’enfance du Christ from Berlioz in December 2012. Several Christmas concerts in this same period in several cities around Quebec are also in his diary.
Career
Quilico's operatic debut was in a 1978 television performance of The Medium.[2] In 1980, he was discovered by Bernard Lefort and he became a member of the Paris Opera.[3] In 1982, he performed in the UK for the first time at the 1982 Edinburgh Festival as Lescaut. He also debuted at Covent Garden in 1983 as Valentin.[2] He created the role of Figaro in John Corigliano's opera The Ghosts of Versailles at its world premiere at the Metropolitan Opera, opposite Teresa Stratas.[4] He also created the lead role in Marcel Landowski's Montsegur.[3] In 1987, he and his father became the first father and son to perform together at the Metropolitan Opera.[3] He played various other roles such as Figaro, Marcello, Dandini, and Escamillo. He has also appeared in various opera festivals, including the Salzburg, Vienna, and Munich Festivals.[2] He also appeared in the 1985 film Orfeo as the title character and in the 1988 film La Bohème.[5] In 1992, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.[6] Quilico played the role of Jean Valjean in the musical Les Misérables in a 2008 production in Quebec City and is scheduled to return in 2009.[7][8]
Press and Letters
Luciano Pavarotti (Italy, August 1990)
Gino is a great talent, a great voice, a real personality and a beautiful actor. He is going to be a Verdi baritone who will achieve probably one of the greatest careers of all time. He has everything. Audiences are wild about him. It’s a great pleasure for me to see that.
Philadelphia Don Giovanni
NEW YORK TIMES, John Rockwell Mr. Quilico enunciates the Italian with relish, looks handsome and acts with convincing dash. This is a real baritone Don Giovanni, elegant and light on his feet.
San Francisco Chronicle by Joshua Kosman
Quilico sounded fine, in full command of his suave, expressive baritone. Lithe and strikingly handsome, Quilico looks every bit the licentious libertine. His singing was energetic and precise, with a pleasantly dark timbre.
The Gazette, Arthur Kaptainis
Both the sneer of Quilico’s tone and the confidence with which he could occupy even a dark cranny left no doubt of his high caliber as a singing actor.
Gala Concert Montreal (La Presse) Claude Gingras
Le grand monologue de Iago dans l'Otello de Verdi le trouva en forme, comme acteur et comme chanteur. Grâce à beaucoup de métier, il a même campé un Scarpia et un Germont fort crédibles.
Bill Clinton, President of the United States of America (Personal letter – December 9, 1997)
Dear Gino – Thank you so much for the copy of Le Secret, which Saverio Mancina passed along to me. It brings back fond memories of seeing you at the Metropolitan Opera. Hillary and I appreciate your sharing your work with us, and we send our best wishes. Sincerely, Bill Clinton.
Brian Mulroney, Prime Minister of Canada (Personal letter – November 9, 1987)
Dear Mr. Quilico, On behalf of the Government of Canada, I am pleased to convey to you my warmest greetings and best wishes on this historical first performance by a father and son at the Metropolitan Opera House. Canadians and, indeed, all those who have an appreciation of opera may take great pride in your accomplishments as well as your contributions to music in Canada and throughout the world. I know that your performance will reflect your commitment to musical perfection and I trust that those in the audience this evening we highly entertained.
Yours sincerely, Brian Mulroney
Recordings
His discography includes Manon (1982), Roméo et Juliette (1983), L'Orfeo (1985), L'heure espagnole (1985), La jolie fille de Perth (with June Anderson, Alfredo Kraus and José van Dam, led by Georges Prêtre, 1985), La bohème (as Marcello, with Barbara Hendricks and José Carreras, conducted by James Conlon, 1987), Les pêcheurs de perles (1989), Don Pasquale (1990) and La bohème (as Marcello, opposite Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, led by Kent Nagano, 1994). Also notable is the "live" recording of Landowski's Montségur, with Karan Armstrong, conducted by Michel Plasson,1987. Les Troyen (1995) conducted by (Charles Dutoit) Grammy Award winner, Noel recorded with Novem, over 50 thousand copies sold (Gold). Les Miserables (2009) with LCQ records.
ERATO RECORDS
Don Pasquale Donizetti Gabrielle Ferro Bacquier, Hendricks, Quilico (Malatesta)
La Boheme Puccini James Conlon Hendricks, Carreras, Quilico (Marcello)
Le Roi Arthus Chausson Armin Jordan Quilico, Zilis-Gara, Winberg (Roi Arthus)
Orfeo Monteverdi Michel Corboz Quilico, Michael, Watkinson (Orfeo)
Le Roi Malgré Lui Chabrier Charles Dutoit Quilico, Hendricks, Lafont (Le Roi)
L’Heure Espagnole Ravel Armin Jordan Lawrence, Raffali, Quilico (Ramiro)
EMI RECORDS:
Oedipe Enesco Lawrence Foster Van Dam, Fassbender, Quilico (Thésée)
Les Pecheurs de Perles Bizet Michel Plasson Hendricks, Aler, Quilico (Zurga)
Manon Massenet Michel Plasson Cotrubas, Kraus, Quilico (Lescaut)
Romeo & Juliette Gounod Michel Plasson Kraus, Malfitano, Quilico (Mercutio)
La Jolie fille de perth Bizet George Pretre Anderson,Kraus,Quilico (Rothsay)
Duo d’Operette Mix Lawrence Foster Hendricks,Quilico (Duo Album)
TELDEC RECORDS:
La Cenerentola Rossini Carlo Rizzi Laremore, Giminez, Quilico (Dandini)
PHILIPS RECORDS: Le Comte Ory Rossini J.E. Gardiner Sumi Jo, Aler, Quilico (Raimbaud)
SONY CLASSICS
Manon Lescaut Puccini Lorin Maazel Rautio, Dvorsky, Quilico (Lescaut)
Steven Mercurio Compositions Bocelli, Quilico, Villazon (Highlights)
DECCA RECORDS:
Les Troyens Berlioz Charles Dutoit Voigt, Lakes, Quilico (Chorebe)
Opera Plus Opera Highlights Pavarotti, Te Kanawa, Bartoli, Quilico
CYBELIA RECORDS: Montsegur Landowski Michel Plasson Armstrong, Sénéchal, Quilico (Gautier)
PONTO RECORDS: Faust Gounod Serge Baudo Vanzo, Masterson, Quilico (Valentin)
KOCH RECORDS: Le Secret Melodie Français Quilico, Alain Lefèvre (Solo)
CBC RECORDS:
Adeste Fideles Christmas Louis & Gino Quilico, Judy Loman, Toronto Children’s Choir
Millenium Opera Gala Quilico, Margison, Heppner, Roy Thompson Hall
NOVEM RECORDS: Noel Christmas Gino Quilico Gold Record (Solo)
CAPITOLE RECORDS: Les Misérables Schonberg Selections Quilico, Charest, Fortin (JeanValjean)
ZONE3 RECORDS: Un jour une nuit Mix songs Crossover Allison, Plamondon, Cabrel (Solo)
ESPACE XXI RECORDS: Magnificat Religious songs Handel, Fauré, Gounod, Stradella (Solo)
ANALEKTA RECORDS: Serata d’Amore Italiano Romantico Nino Rota, Dalla, Rascel, Di Capua (Solo)
'Gino Quilico AudioVisuel:'
Carmen Bizet Zubin Mehta Ewing, Lima, Quilico (Toreador)
La Cenerentola Rossini R. Chailly Murray, Araiza, Quilico (Dandini)
Barber of Seville Rossini Gabrielle Ferro Bartoli, Feller, Quilico (Figaro)
Ghosts of Versailles Corigliano James Levine Stratas, Fleming, Horne (Figaro)
La Boheme Puccini Tiziano Severini Pavarotti, Freni, Quilico (Marcello)
Orfeo Monteverdi Gaumont Films Corboz, Michael, Quilico (Orfeo)
La Boheme Puccini Gaumont Films Canonicci, Hendricks, Quilico (Marcello)
References
- ↑ Branswell, Brenda (1998-07-20). "Busy, busy baritone". Maclean's. p. 53.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Cummings, David (2000). International Who's who in Music and Musicians' Directory 2000/20001. Routledge. p. 525. ISBN 0-948875-53-4.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 G.S., Bourdain (1987-10-02). "Gino Quilico: A Baritone's Son Makes Met Debut". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
- ↑ Loomis, George W. (July/August 1995). "Metropolitan Opera: Corigliano Ghosts of Versailles". American Record Guide. p. 43.
- ↑ Paolucci, Bridget (1989-04-15). "L'Elisir d'Amore: The Players". Opera News. p. 27
- ↑ "Order of Canada: Officer". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
- ↑ "Production exceptionelle". Le journal de Québec XLII (130) (2008-15-07). 2008-07-15. pp. 54–55
- ↑ "Gino Quilico — Calendar". Retrieved 2009-05-021.
External links
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